User interface that reflects social attributes in user notifications

ABSTRACT

A method ( 300 ) for providing an audio message ( 105 ). The method can include detecting at least one external parameter ( 125, 130, 135 ). Detecting the external parameter can include detecting a time, a location or a station identifier. Detecting the location can include receiving a signal from a network node ( 110 ) or a beacon ( 115 ), or receiving location information from a positioning system ( 240 ). In one arrangement, detecting the external parameter can include detecting a plurality of identifiers, such as a time, a location and/or a station identifier. The external parameter can be processed to identify at least one audio attribute ( 265 ) associated with a voice persona. An audio message then can be generated based, at least in part, on the audio attribute. Identifying the audio attribute can include identifying at least a second audio attribute associated with a background sound.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to user interfaces and, moreparticularly, to user interface notifications.

2. Background of the Invention

With the advent of modern processing systems, the use of calendaringprograms has become common both in the work place and for personal use.Such calendaring programs are available on personal computers, mobilestations (e.g. mobile telephones and personal digital assistants), andeven over the Internet. A typical calendaring program presents acalendar on a display using a graphical user interface (GUI), andreceives user inputs to enter calendar entries. For example, a user may,via the GUI, select a particular time on a particular day and enter atask for which the user wishes to be reminded. The user also can selecta time when he wishes to be reminded of the task. For instance, the usercan choose to be reminded of the task 15 minutes before the time atwhich the task is scheduled, 1 hour before such time, a day before suchtime, etc.

At the selected reminder time, a typical calendaring program can presenta reminder message to the user. For example, the calendaring program canpresent the message in the GUI, or present the message as an audiosignal. The audio signal that is presented can be user selectable. Forinstance, when generating the calendar entry, the user may select anaudio file that consists of a sound of a ringing bell, and such soundcan be played at the appropriate reminder time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for providing an audiomessage. The method can include detecting at least one externalparameter. Detecting the external parameter can include detecting atime, a location, a station identifier or a biometric parameter.Detecting the location can include receiving a signal from a networknode or a beacon, or receiving location information from a positioningsystem. In one arrangement, detecting the external parameter can includedetecting a plurality of parameters.

The external parameter can be processed to identify at least one audioattribute associated with a voice persona. An audio message then can begenerated based, at least in part, on the audio attribute. Identifyingthe audio attribute also can include identifying at least a second audioattribute associated with a background sound. Further, the method caninclude receiving an audio message indicator from a calendaring program.

The present invention also relates to a device for providing an audiomessage. The device can include a clock that detects at least oneexternal parameter and a processor that processes the external parameterto identify at least one audio attribute associated with a voicepersona. The processor also can identify at least a second audioattribute associated with a background sound. In one arrangement, theprocessor also can receive an audio message indicator from a calendaringprogram. Further, the device can include an output audio transducer thatpresents an audio message generated based on, at least in part, theaudio attribute.

The device also can include a positioning system that detects at least asecond external parameter. Further, the device can include acommunications adapter that detects at least a second external parameterfrom a network node, a beacon or a mobile station. A biometric sensoralso can be provided with the device. The biometric sensor can detect atleast a second external parameter.

Another embodiment of the present invention can include a machinereadable storage being programmed to cause a machine to perform thevarious steps described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described belowin more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a device that is useful for understanding the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart that is useful for understanding the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining features of theinvention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the inventionwill be better understood from a consideration of the description inconjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of thepresent invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understoodthat the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention,which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representativebasis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ thepresent invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to belimiting but rather to provide an understandable description of theinvention.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for generating anaudio message using audio attributes that are selected based on one ormore external parameters. As used herein, the term “external parameter”means any parameter that is independent of a user input. For example,detection of a mobile station or beacon can generate an externalparameter, whereas a user selection is not an external parameter. Otherexamples of external parameters can include a time, a date, a location,an identification of others within a personal area network, a stresslevel of a user, an event, and/or any other parameter that may bedetected by the device.

The audio attributes can present different voice personas, for instancea wife, a child, a friend, a girlfriend, a boss, a celebrity, or anyother desired persona. Further, the audio attributes also can presentbackground sounds, such as kids playing, paper crumbling, cheering,music, chanting, stomping, etc. For example, if the device comprises acalendaring program, work-related audio messages presented by thecalendaring program at 9:00 A.M. on a Monday morning can be presented ina boss' voice. Use of the boss' voice can trigger a primal reaction inthe user to focus on work and focus on meeting daily objectives. Amessage at the end of the workday can be presented in the voice of theuser's wife with soothing background music, thereby mentally preparingthe user for his return home. Similarly, a child's voice, along with thesound of kids playing in the background, can be presented to prompt auser when the time for soccer practice is approaching, thereby preparingthe user for social interaction at soccer practice.

If the user is located at a specific location, for example within atheme park, messages provided by the device can be presented in a voiceassociated with the theme park. In addition, screams of people on aroller coaster can be presented as background sounds. Use of such audioattributes can enhance the theme park experience. In yet anotherexample, if after a softball game the device detects station identifiersassociated with softball friends, a message can be presented in thevoice of the user's wife calmly reminding the user to head home. Still,a myriad of other audio attributes presenting voice personas andbackground sounds can be used and use of such audio attributes can betriggered by any of a myriad of scenarios, and the invention is notlimited in this regard.

FIG. 1 depicts a device 100 that is useful for understanding the presentinvention. The device 100 can be a computer, a mobile station (e.g. amobile telephone, a mobile computer, a personal digital assistant, amobile gaming device, etc.), an audio system, or any other system ordevice suitable for communicating an audio message 105 via an acousticsignal. In particular, the audio message 105 can be an audio messagethat is generated using the audio attributes selected based on theexternal parameters.

In an arrangement in which the relevant external parameters compriselocation information, the device 100 can determine the locationinformation based on the device's actual position, approximate position,or position relative to another device. For example, the device 100 canreceive communication signals from a network node 110, a beacon 115and/or another mobile station 120. The network node 110 can be an accesspoint, a router, a switch, a base transceiver station (BTS), a repeater,or any other communication device that may provide a communications linkbetween the device 100 and a communications network. The beacon 115 cancomprise a transponder that indicates a location of the beacon 115.

In one arrangement, communication signals received from the network node100 can comprise location information 125. The location information 125can indicate a location of the network node 110, which may be anadequate approximation of the location of the device 100. The locationof the network node 110 can be communicated to the device 100 using aservice discovery protocol. In another arrangement, the network node'smedia access control (MAC) address can be communicated to the device100. The device 100 then can query a suitable database with the networknode's MAC address to determine the location of the network node 110.The beacon 115 also can provide location information 130 to the device100. For instance, the beacon's transponder can broadcast an identifierthat indicates a location of the beacon 115.

In yet another arrangement, the location information can indicate arelative position of the device 100 with respect to another device, suchas the mobile station 120. For example, if the device 100 receives astation identifier 135 from the mobile station 120, the device 100 candetermine that the mobile station 120 is within the personal areanetwork (PAN) of the device 100.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the actual location of thedevice 100 can be determined. For example, a global positioning system(GPS) or a local positioning system can be used to determine thedevice's location.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of the device 100 that is useful forunderstanding the present invention. The device 100 can include aprocessor 205. The processor can comprise, for example, a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), aplurality of discrete components that cooperate to process data, and/orany other suitable processing device.

The device 100 also can include a communications adapter 210. Thecommunications adapter 210 can include a network adapter suitable forcommunicating via a communications network, for example via a networknode, an access point, a beacon, a router or a switch. For example, thenetwork adapter can include a transceiver that communicates data viawireless communications and/or a communications port or network adapterthat communicates via wired communications. The communications adapter210 also can include a short range wireless communications transceiver,for instance a Bluetooth or Zigbee adapter. Still, the communicationsadapter 210 can include any other systems or components which supportcommunications between the device 100 and any other devices or systems.

One or more tactile input devices 215 also can be provided. The tactileinput devices 215 can comprise one or more buttons, keys, soft keys,sensors, or any other devices suitable for receiving a tactile userinput. The device 100 also can include a display 220. In one arrangementthe display 220 can comprise a touch screen that can receive tactileinputs and communicate such inputs to the processor 205.

The device 100 further can include an audio processor 225 connected toan input audio transducer 230 (e.g. microphone) and an output audiotransducer 235 (e.g. loudspeaker). The audio processor 225 can comprisea vocoder for encoding and decoding speech signals. Vocoders are knownto the skilled artisan. The audio processor 225 can be integrated withthe processor 205, or provided as a separate component that iscommunicatively linked to the processor 205. The audio processor 225 cancomprise a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a PLD, a plurality of discretecomponents that cooperate to process audio data, and/or any othersuitable audio processing device.

A positioning system 240 also can be provided with the device 100. Thepositioning system 240 can include a global positioning satellite (GPS)receiver, a receiver that detects local positioning signals, a receiverthat detects a local transponder, and/or any other suitable positionidentification system or device. A clock 245 also can be provided tomonitor time, including dates, days of the week, months of the year,etc.

In one aspect of the invention, the device 100 also can comprise a oneor more biometric sensors 250 that sense biometric parameters of a user,such as a user stress level. An example of the biometric sensor 250 caninclude a galvanic skin response (GSR) sensor. A GSR sensor can measuresskin conduction to ascertain a level of moisture on the skin, which isindicative of a level of stress. Another example of a biometric sensor250 can include a heart rate sensor. A heart rate sensor can comprise anaccelerometer that detects blood pulsing through a hand in contact withthe device 100. Yet another example of a biometric sensor 250 caninclude an oxygen monitoring device that monitors blood flow through anextremity, such as an ear. Such a device can be incorporated into anaccessory headset that is worn by a user. A voice analyzer is anotherexample of a biometric sensor 250. A voice analyzer can process detectedspeech signals to determine stress levels. In another arrangement, thebiometric sensor 250 can comprise a pedometer that monitors the stridelength of the user. Shorter, faster stride lengths can indicate elevatedlevels of stress. Still, other biometric sensors can be used with thedevice 100 and the invention is not limited in this regard.

Further, the device 100 can include a datastore 255. The datastore 255can include one or more storage devices, each of which can include amagnetic storage medium, an electronic storage medium, an opticalstorage medium, a magneto-optical storage medium, and/or any otherstorage medium suitable for storing digital information. In onearrangement, the datastore 255 can be integrated into the processor 205.

A dynamic messaging application 260 can be contained on the datastore255. The dynamic messaging application 260 can be executed by theprocessor 205 to implement the methods and processes described herein.For example, the dynamic messaging application 260 can receive anindicator from a calendaring program indicating that a message is to bepresented to a user, and receive from the communications adapter 210,the positioning system 240 and/or the clock 245 signals representingexternal parameters. Based on the external parameters, the dynamicmessaging application 260 can select appropriate audio attributes 265for presenting an audio message.

In one arrangement, the audio attributes 265 can comprise pre-recordedaudio files. The audio files can include, for instance, pre-recordedaudio files generated from the user's spouse, the user's children,friends, co-workers, celebrities, etc. The audio attributes also caninclude background sounds, for example of children playing, papercrumbling, cheering, and so on. In one aspect of the invention, selectedaudio messages can be generated to include one or more backgroundsounds.

Table 1 represents examples of voice personas and background sounds thatmay be associated with various social groups identified by the dynamicmessaging application 260. Such social groups can be identified based ontime, location of the device 100, other devices proximate to the device100 (e.g. within the device user's personal area network), or in anyother suitable manner.

TABLE 1 Social Groups Voice Personas Background Sounds FamilyWife/Children Kids Playing Work Boss/Co-workers Paper Crumpling SoftballUmpire Ball being hit, kids cheering Scouts Scout Master Hiking/Marchingsong Church Pastor Spiritual chanting Bicycling Club Members PedalingJogging Myself Feet clomping Health Club My Doctor Hospital RestaurantMatradee People talking, glasses clinging, clinging silverware/dishesclanging

In another aspect of the invention, the audio attributes 265 can includeparameters that are used by a text-to-speech synthesizer 270 forgenerating audio messages. Parameters can be available for synthesizingany of a variety of available voice personas. For example, the audioattributes 265 can include parameters for generating audio messages in afemale voice, a male voice, a child's voice, in the voice of a celebrityor character, or in any other voice. In addition, the audio attributes265 can include parameters for generating such voices in a variety ofdifferent tones, for example in a calming voice, a stern voice, anexcited voice, a cheerful voice, a sad voice, etc. Such voice attributes265 can be updated. For example, if a new movie has been released, voiceattributes 265 associated with characters in the movie can be madepublicly available for download.

Suitable text selected or generated by the dynamic messaging application260 can be communicated to the text-to-speech synthesizer 270, which cangenerate the audio message from such text. The dynamic messagingapplication 260 also can communicate to the text-to-speech synthesizer270 a selection of a voice persona to use when generating the audiomessage. For example, the dynamic messaging application 260 can identifythe parameters that are to be used by the text-to-speech synthesizer270.

Such parameters can be dynamically selected based on the message that iscommunicated and/or the external parameters that are detected. Further,the parameter selection can be changed by the dynamic messagingapplication 260 each time a particular message is repeated. Forinstance, a first reminder for an approaching deadline can be presentedin a calm voice. A second reminder for the approaching deadline can bepresented in a voice having a tone of concern. A third reminder for thesame deadline can be presented in a stem voice, and so on. The dynamicmessaging application 260 can interface with a calendaring applicationto identify message types, the number of messages sent for a particularmeeting or task, deadlines, etc. If, however, the dynamic messagingapplication 260 receives signals from the biometric sensor 250indicating the user of the device 100 has a particularly high level ofstress, the dynamic messaging application 260 can select audioattributes 265 which present messages that are calming to the user.

In another aspect of the invention, the audio attributes 265 can includeparameters that are generated from voice samples. For instance,acquaintances of the user may be prompted to utter one or morestatements into the audio input transducer 230, and the dynamicmessaging application 260 can process such utterances to identifyfeatures of the voices which may be represented with the audioparameters. Moreover, such parameters can be exchanged among users. Forexample, a husband and wife can use their own devices to generate suchparameters, and exchange such parameters in a suitable manner, forinstance using a communication link between their respective devices ora storage medium to which each of the devices can be communicativelylinked.

After the appropriate audio attributes 265 for generating the audiomessage have been selected and the audio message has been generated, thedynamic messaging application 260 then can cause the audio message to becommunicated to the audio processor 225, which can generate the audiomessage as an acoustic signal via the output audio transducer 235. Forexample, the dynamic messaging application 260 can receive an audio filegenerated by the text-to-speech synthesizer 270, combine such audio filewith an audio file comprising background sounds, and communicate thecombined audio file to the audio processor 225 as the audio message.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart presenting a method 300 that is useful forunderstanding the present invention. Beginning at step 305, adetermination can be made that an audio message is to be presented. Thedetermination can be made in any suitable manner. For example, as noted,an indicator can be provided from a calendaring program. In acommunication device, a determination can be made to present an audiomessage in response to an incoming call, e-mail, instant message, filetransfer, etc. Still, such determination can be made in any othersuitable manner and the invention is not limited in this regard.

At step 310, at least one external parameter can be detected. Theexternal parameter can be a time of day, a day of the week, a month or ayear. The external parameter also can include location information, suchas a present location the device in which the method 300 is implemented,or a location of a mobile station communicatively linked to such device.The external parameter also can include a station identifier receivedfrom a mobile station within a personal area network of a user. Further,the external parameter can include a biometric parameter. Nonetheless, amyriad of other external parameters can be detected and the invention isnot limited in this regard.

Proceeding to step 315, the external parameter(s) can be processed toidentify at least one audio attribute. As noted, such audio attributescan include one or more audio files, or one or more parameters that maybe processed by a text-to-speech application to generate the audiomessage in a particular voice persona.

Continuing to step 320, an audio message that is based on the identifiedaudio attribute(s) can be presented. For example, if the externalparameters indicate that it is lunch time, the audio message can bepresented in the voice of a famous chef indicating it is time to eat.

The present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software. The present invention can berealized in a centralized fashion in one processing system or in adistributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected processing systems. Any kind of processing system orother device adapted for carrying out the methods described herein issuited. A typical combination of hardware and software can be aprocessing system with an application that, when being loaded andexecuted, controls the processing system such that it carries out themethods described herein. The present invention also can be embedded inan application product, which comprises all the features enabling theimplementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded ina processing system is able to carry out these methods.

The terms “computer program,” “software,” “application,” variants and/orcombinations thereof, in the present context, mean any expression, inany language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended tocause a system having an information processing capability to perform aparticular function either directly or after either or both of thefollowing: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b)reproduction in a different material form. For example, an applicationcan include, but is not limited to, a subroutine, a function, aprocedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executableapplication, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, ashared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence ofinstructions designed for execution on a processing system.

The terms “a” and “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or morethan two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least asecond or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein,are defined as comprising (i.e., open language).

This invention can be embodied in other forms without departing from thespirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should bemade to the following claims, rather than to the foregoingspecification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

1. A method for providing an audio message, comprising: detecting atleast one biometric parameter of a user, wherein the biometric parameteris an external parameter that is independent of a user input; processingthe biometric parameter to identify at least one audio attributeselected to affect a present condition of the user; and presenting anaudio message generated based, at least in part, on the audio attribute.2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the audio attributecomprises identifying at least a second audio attribute associated witha background sound.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreceiving an audio message indicator from a calendaring program.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: detecting a time; and identifyingthe audio attribute based at least in part on the time.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: detecting a location; and identifying theaudio attribute based at least in part on the location.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein detecting the location comprises receiving a signalfrom a network node or a beacon.
 7. The method of claim 5, whereindetecting the location comprises receiving location information from apositioning system.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:detecting a station identifier; and identifying the audio attributebased at least in part on the station identifier.
 9. A device forproviding an audio message, comprising: a biometric sensor that detectsat least one biometric parameter of a user, wherein the biometricparameter is an external parameter that is independent of a user input;a processor that processes the biometric parameter to identify at leastone audio attribute selected to affect a present condition of the user;and an output audio transducer that presents an audio message generatedbased, at least in part, on the audio attribute.
 10. The device of claim9, wherein the processor identifies at least a second audio attributeassociated with a background sound.
 11. The device of claim 9, whereinthe processor receives an audio message indicator from a calendaringprogram.
 12. The device of claim 9, further comprising a positioningsystem that detects at least a second parameter, the second parameterbeing an external parameter.
 13. The device of claim 12, furthercomprising a communications adapter that detects at least the secondparameter from a network node, a beacon or a mobile station.
 14. Amachine readable storage, having stored thereon a computer programhaving a plurality of code sections comprising: code for detecting atleast one biometric parameter of a user, wherein the biometric parameteris an external parameter that is independent of a user input; code forprocessing the biometric parameter to identify at least one audioattribute selected to affect a present condition of the user; and codefor presenting an audio message generated based, at least in part, onthe audio attribute.
 15. The machine readable storage of claim 14,wherein the code for identifying the audio attribute comprises code foridentifying at least a second audio attribute associated with abackground sound.
 16. The machine readable storage of claim 14, furthercomprising code for detecting a time, a location or a stationidentifier.
 17. The machine readable storage of claim 14, furthercomprising code for detecting at least a second parameter, secondparameter selected from the group consisting of a time, a location and astation identifier.